Ernest & Carmen

I've been back in Australia for almost a week now, but I've barely had time to catch my breath before I'm back into the thick of things. After a few meetings and 200 emails, my next 6 months are looking busy again. :/

Right now, I'm procrastinating a bit by playing around with the 192 (!) photos I took in HK. I bought a Nikon Coolpix 5700 digital camera (which I spent the last 6 months saving for) and went paparazzi-style throughout HK. Went back to a lot of places I used to go as a 9 yr old kid, as well as visiting loads of relatives and family friends. I'll upload selected photos online soon for those who are interested in some eye candy.

As for the funeral, it was a traditional Chinese taoist funeral that went on for 2 days. I didn't quite know what was the right thing to do as a Christian, but I ended up spending most of the time in front of the furnace burning "paper money". I tried to explain to people that I was doing it out of respect for my grandmother, and not as one who believed she'd receive this money. But nevertheless, I felt rather awkward. I probably should've out right refused to do it.

In the days following the funeral, I also visited the grave site of 4 other family members. At each of those, I was a bit more adamant and resolved not to offer incense or burn money or anything like that. I just bowed once awkwardly and that was it. My family and relatives were a bit shocked at first, but they didn't push their point fortunately and I was left in peace to ponder the sadness of these lost souls.

However, I do feel ashamed that I let a few gospel opportunities pass by. At the time, I remember thinking that it probably wasn't a good time, or that I was too tired, or I didn't know what to say in Cantonese. But I knew deep down that I was just plain scared. I didn't want to risk having arguments by stepping out of line. Perhaps the sheer strength needed to resist the taoist ceremonies left me too drained to fight on, but I think I'm just making excuses for myself...

It really feels like I've been gone a whole month rather than just a week. But all in all, it was a pleasant trip.

<< Thank God for the opportunity to go back to HK and for the time spent with family. But pray that I will grow and be strengthened in my faith so that I will not be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully and clearly. Pray also that I can settle into the new house and get back into a normal routine so that I can continue to serve God in and through my life. >>

As I mentioned previously, things are a bit packed at the moment. Just to give you a rough idea, my schedule looked and looks something like this...

Mon
~ Dinner with guys from church
~ Supper with Christian friend whom I haven't caught up with for awhile

Tue
~ Sick from work, but spent the day packing
~ 21st party till midnight

Wed
~ Get-together with friends from a different church
~ Packing again

Thu
~ Lunch with non-Christian high school friend
~ Dinner with friends (with a surprise)
~ Possible DVD night on big screen at home =D
~ More packing...

Fri
~ Moving!! (only all the stuff that can fit into cars)

Sat
~ Final bits of packing
~ Moving all the BIG stuff into truck
~ Going off to church camp

Sun
~ Leaving late at night from camp back to Sydney

Mon
~ A quick snooze
~ Get up at a ridiculous hour of the morning and off to airport to HK

God has been gracious in providing a new house for us to stay at. A friend moved recently and his parents decided to rent the house out. It only has 4 bedrooms, but it's bigger (2 lounge rooms, or separate dining and lounge room). It's closer to Strathfield station, but further from the shops and from SMBC. But in the end we took it, probably because we couldn't be bothered looking around. So all of a sudden, we're moving, and there's not even time for a farewell party! Awww... :(

<< Thank God for His sovereignty and grace in providing us all with a house so quickly. Pray that the new Brightside will continue to be a godly household which is hospitable and useful in encouraging Christians to grow in their faith.>>

This will probably be my last blog entry for 2 weeks or so until I get back. I don't know how regular I'll be online and replying to emails, but please keep praying for me. This will be my first funeral as a Christian and I don't know what will be expected of me as the eldest son. I know it will be a Buddhist funeral, so I hope my relatives will respect my choice to not worship idols.

<< Please pray that I may be strong and bold with my faith - not only in rejecting the idolatry of this world, but also in proclaiming the gospel clear. At the same time, pray that I may be loving and respectful to my family and friends at this time and be wise in choosing the right opportunities to challenge them. >>

Peter Adam - Australia's Greatest Problem

• Australia's greatest problem. In one word - FOOLS (Proverbs 10:8)
  
• We are a nation of fools because we have turned from God. It's not that fools don't believe in nothing, but that we believe in everything - even advertisements.
  
• We are foolish because we don't believe in heaven & hell (Luke 12:13-31).
  
• At the heart of folly is one thing - belief that there is no God (Psalm 53:1, Psalm 14:1).
  
• We automatically have atheistic hearts even if we don't have atheistic heads (ie we may believe in god(s), but we don't live it out).
  
• We build foolishly without foundation (Matthew 7:24-27).
  
• We are foolish because we don't believe the Word of God (Luke 24:25).
  
• So what is God's remedy for a foolish world?
  Answer: FOOLISHNESS!!!
  
• God "out-fools" us and matches our folly by sending His Son to die for us (1Corinthians 1:18-25).
  
• God's method through the cross is also His method through the church. He doesn't choose wise & powerful people for His church, but instead pathetic people (1Corinthians 1:26-29).
  
• Paul himself does not use his "wisdom", but his foolishness (1Corinthians 2:1-5).
  
• We are fools for Christ (1Corinthians 4:8-13).

Don Carson - Preaching through Bible Books

• Read & re-read the book. Get a 1st hand feel for it before going to the commentaries.
  Early on, attain sufficient grasp of the book to succinctly say: What the book is about; What this book contributes to the canon that overlaps; What this book contributes to the canon that is different.
  
• Determine the number of sermons devoted to the book. It should reflect somewhat the structure of the book
  
• Each sermon must be simultaneously independent of the series and yet still be in continuity with it.
  
• Remember your Biblical and Systematic Theology.
  
• Try and make the sermon reflect the genre of the book (eg. when using a narrative, you need to know how to tell a story; with apocalyptic literature, use descriptive language and vivid imagery; with psalms/proverbs, use polarities and contrasts).
  
• Keep revising, praying and preparing - not so that you can master the text, but so that it can master you and produce a right response in yourself.

Ray Galea - Evangelistic Preaching (part 2 ~ preparing an evangelistic sermon)

• Why we preach the gospel:
  # God's glory - a jealousy for His namesake.
  # The lost matter to Jesus.
  # The destiny of the lost.
  # For own encouragement because God uses fallen humans.
  # Under command.
  
• The gospel needs to be demonstrated from the text so that people know it's not from ourselves but from God. The power of the sermon comes not from the illustrations but the content of the passage.
  
• Be sensitive to the mindset of the listeners.
  
• In the opening prayer, flag the call to make an informed decision.
  
• Issues to keep in mind:
  # Thoughtful link statements.
  # Edit wisely.
  # Turn theological ideas into plain English.
  # Deal simply with theological difficulties.
  # Act like a mediator (empathise with the audience, but use it as a stepping stone to explain the passage - eg. "Don't you feel sorry for Joseph when he gets sold by his brothers?").
  # Think through the positive aspects of each doctrine.
  # Exposing the cliches of our world.
  # Finding contemporary language and images.
  # Quote the world to defend the truth.
  
• In the conclusion, the aim is to call forth faith and repentance. Don't introduce new ideas but use similar words to the rest of the sermon.
  
• Don't give the impression that judgement day will be like a quiz and faith is like having all the right answers to the quiz.
  
• In the closing prayer, continue to use the words of the sermon. 3 elements: Confession of sin; Thankful trust in Jesus as Saviour; and Commitment to submit to Jesus as Lord.
  
• Remember that it's God who grants repentance - not you.

Don Carson - The What and Why of Expository Preaching

• What we preach - the Word of God.
  
• Why we preach - because it's the Word of God.
  
• Preaching is verbal oral communication of which the following are true:
  # The content is God's special & gracious self disclosure - ie His revelation.
  # It is Bible truth mediated through human personality.
  # Its immediate purpose is to inform, persuade, appeal, rebuke, instruct, encourage - ie the illicit an appropriate response to the God whose revelation is the Bible.
  # Its ultimate goal is the glory of God and the calling forth & edification of the church.
  
• Given this definition, what is expository preaching?
  # It's where the subject matter emerges directly & demonstrably from a passage(s) of Scripture (ie not just general Biblical principles, but it is explicitly shown from the Bible).
  # Not simply a running commentary because of the immediate purpose of preaching (see 3rd point) and the message to be highlighted.
  # Not necessarily preaching systematically through a book of the Bible.
  # The length of passage is variable.
  # At it's best, it draws attention to inter-canonical connections that moves to Jesus Christ (ie it shows how it relates to other passages and points to Jesus).
  # It can be usefully combined with other forms of preaching in one sermon.
  
• Why establish a pattern of expository preaching?
  # It is the method least likely to stray far from Scripture.
  # It teaches and models to people how to read the Bible.
  # It authorises the sermon and gives confidence to the preacher because any objections/disagreements can be referred back to the text.
  # If truly applied, it meets the need for relevance without dictating the course of the sermon.
  # It enables and forces you to deal with the more difficult passages.
  # It enables the preacher to systematically expound the whole counsel of God.

(This was one of the "meaty-est" talks, so I've haven't explained a lot of the points. Let me know if you want more details. I've also ordered the CD so you can borrow it off me.)

Day #2 :: KCC Centenary Preaching Conference
Ray Galea - Evangelistic Preaching (part 1 ~ sample sermon)
(Mark 2:1-12)

• You expect Jesus to help the man by healing him. But strangely He doesn't.
  
• It's not whether your wife has left you, or why your child died young, or if you get that job/promotion. Your real problem is sin!
  
• The religious leaders were spot on - no one but God alone has the authority to forgive sins.
  
• What is hard to grasp is not the paralytic man walking again, but how a sinful man can be forgive.

The reason I've been so stuffed is because I'm going back to HK in 10 days! Now before you get all excited on my behalf, let me tell you that this trip is anything but good (hence my mood the past few days). Yes, it's the trip I wanted to go on back at Easter, but I'm going back for a funeral for my maternal grandma. :(

Out of my four grandparents, she was the closest, and also the last. I've never really had to deal with death. I've never really personally known anyone who has died. Even when my other grandparents died, I wasn't that affected because I didn't really know them (and probably cause I was too young). And I didn't go to their funeral since I was in Australia. But this time, it's up-close-and-personal. I don't know how I'll feel once I get to HK.

The worst thing about all this is that my grandma wasn't a Christian. It's with a deep sense of emptiness and regret that I go back, knowing that she is now lost forever. All my other relatives are non-Christians too (as far as I know), and I want to be able to tell them about the great news of salvation through Jesus Christ. But in Chinese? During a time of mourning? Hmmm...

<< Despite the loss at hand, pray that I can use the opportunities on this trip to tell my relatives how they can escape eternal death and judgement through faith in Christ Jesus. Pray that I may have the right words at the right time to do this as well. >>

To complicate matters a bit...This trip to HK falls in the middle of 4 major things I have on at that time. Church camp is on, Bible college starts, Saltlight Supporters' night to be organised, and a new house to move to (yes, we have found a new place - more in the next few days). I'm now flat out trying to get everything organised and things packed and responsiblities passed on and...rush, rush, rush!!

<< Please pray that I can get everything done before I leave for HK. Pray that I can get adequate rest and not stress out too much. >>